Sports Media

COM 102 Introduction to News Writing 3 Credits

Introduces students to routines of journalism, including reporting, writing and preparing content for print and web. Incorporates contemporary practices in multimedia journalism, including digital audio, video and photos, into traditional skills, with an emphasis on accuracy, clarity and professional style and voice. Class exercises are completed in a laboratory newsroom.

COM 104 Speech Communication 3 Credits

Examines basic communication principles and strategies of public speaking. Various genres of oral communication are studied, with an emphasis on extemporaneous and impromptu forms of delivery. Students research, prepare, and deliver speeches that are then used as the focal point for the discussion of effective speaking and listening. A number of speeches are videotaped. Students who received credit for COM 104S may not take this course. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Essential Competencies element of the CLAS general education curriculum.

COM 105 Communication, Culture and Media 3 Credits

Provides a detailed investigation and analysis into the nature, history, scope, adequacy, and limitations of mass communication and examines the reciprocal influence of the media on culture and society. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Disciplinary Perspectives element of the CLAS general education curriculum.

COM 131 Fundamentals of Video Production 3 Credits

Introduces students to basic video production theories, techniques, and applications. Students will gain competency in a number of video production areas including: production planning, camera operations, lighting, sound, and digital non-linear editing. Individual and group production exercises will involve planning and executing video productions in both studio and non-studio settings. This class is designed to prepare students from any major to effectively create, produce, shoot, and edit basic video production assignments including public service announcements, video news releases, educational/instructional videos, and marketing/promotional spots.

COM 204 Advanced Speech Communication 3 Credits

Provides students with the opportunity to further their study and practice of various types of speech communication. Moving beyond an introductory perspective, this course focuses on the development of critical, analytical, and pragmatic aspects of speech. The focus is divided between the discussion of theoretical models and a demonstrated competence of that material.

Prerequisite(s): COM 104 or COM 290.

COM 211 Copy Editing 3 Credits

Teaches all phases of copy editing for news and public relations: marking of copy, online editing, fact checking, building and shaping news and feature stories, applying mechanical style, building an ear for graceful English, and safeguarding against legal and ethical problems. Provides comprehensive review of grammar, spelling and punctuation, along with intensive practice in writing headlines and captions and editing wire copy.

Prerequisite(s): COM 102.

COM 247 Covering the Sports Betting Industry 3 Credits

This course will introduce students to the world of covering the sports betting landscape via traditional sports media. Emphasis will be placed on learning the jargon of sports betting, learning how to break down financial reports from both states and gambling operators, how to cover legislative action on the subject. In short: Covering the world of sports betting is quickly becoming akin to covering the world of financial markets, and students wishing to pursue a career in sports media will have to know how to navigate this world going forward.

Prerequisite(s): COM 104 or COM 290.

COM 264 Digital Media: Theory and Practice 3 Credits

Introduces the ways that the merging of media industries and the intersection and integration of various media platforms and technologies impact our lives. While the primary focus will be on digital and mobile technologies and practices, the course will also cover the convergence of digital technologies in a wide range of media areas, including journalism, social media, television and entertainment. The course will offer students broad conceptual frameworks for thinking about how the emergence and evolution of digital as well as mobile communication technologies have changed the communication and journalism industries and how they are reshaping content. In addition, the course is intended to allow students to use different digital communication technologies.

COM 270 Sports Multimedia Reporting 3 Credits

COM 270 Sports Multimedia Reporting. Develops skills in hard-news sports reporting, game coverage, and the production of introductory multimedia and social media sports content. Employs out-of-the-classroom reporting assignments to refine information gathering techniques such as interviewing, observation, and use of documents and other contextual materials. Includes reporting and writing on sports games, teams, players, coaches, athletic issues/controversies, and the business of sports.

Prerequisite(s): COM 102. Introduction to News Writing.

COM 280 Issues in Event Planning 3 Credits

Offers students education in event planning, production, and supervision for varied professional applications. Emphasis will be placed on planning, budgeting, and organizing small and large events for educational, institutional, non-profit, and professional groups. Students will participate in the entire process of event planning, with specific experiences in applying communication theory to actual projects.

Prerequisite(s): COM 240 or MKT 200.

COM 301 Communication Law 3 Credits

Critically examines the legal limits and privileges affecting freedom of expression, especially in publishing, advertising, film, telecasting, and cyberspace. Places particular emphasis on the historical and philosophical foundations of the freedoms and limitations of communication in the United States.

COM 302 Communication Ethics 3 Credits

Analyzes internal and external pressures on the communication professional including economic, cultural, social, and political pressures, assesses the philosophical and practical basis for responding to such pressures, evaluates contemporary media responses to these pressures, identifies those that are of laudable quality and why, and provides guidance as to how individuals and organizations can think and react ethically. Issues addressed include censorship, confidentiality, conflicts of interests, minority and ethnic groups, privacy, sensationalism, and self-criticism.

COM 314 Development & Communication of Nonprofit Organizations in Sport 3 Credits

This course introduces students to developing a nonprofit organization in the sports industry. Emphasis will be placed on communicating goals to the public, budgeting, managing, and fundraising in order to build a successful nonprofit sport organization. Throughout the semester, students will learn necessary steps to create their own nonprofit 501(c)(3) while developing plans for their own organization. This work will culminate with a presentation of a detailed plan and report to a committee of sports/nonprofit professionals who will foster ways to actually help launch the entity.

Prerequisite(s): COM 347 and MKT 280.

COM 316 Feature Writing 3 Credits

Focuses on problems and requirements of newspaper, magazine, public relations, and free-lance nonfiction writing. Students write features designed for acceptance in print, broadcast and digital media and learn marketing techniques.

Prerequisite(s): COM 102 or COM 107, English writing concentration, or permission of instructor.

COM 327 Career Development in the Sports Marketplace 3 Credits

This course provides a survey and analysis of various professional opportunities for those looking to pursue a career in athletics and sports. The exploration and career development is a continuation of prior sports media and communication courses with an emphasis on developing techniques and strategies for entering a very competitive marketplace. Students will engage in detailed market analysis for changing trends while developing a network of contacts through assignments based on interviews with professionals. Beyond learning about these professions, student assignments will be centered on enhancing relevant skills needed to obtain employment in the areas of athletics and sports. Prereq(s): COM 270, COM 347, and MKT 280.

COM 347 Sports Communication 3 Credits

Critically examines the symbiotic relationship between the mass media and professional sports franchises and major college athletic programs. This course deals with the workings and processes behind executing the proper techniques of sports information and media relations, as well as an analysis of the culture of sports in modern society. Students will develop a practical focus on sports information and promotion, including the role of the sports information director and events promoter, with emphasis on advanced concepts of public relations, publicity and marketing.

COM 361 Photography 3 Credits

Using digital SLR cameras, introduces students to professional methods of shooting varied subjects while applying a range of compositions and styles. Using Photoshop, students edit images for publication in print and on the Internet. Hands-on coursework is grounded in theory, history, aesthetics, and ethics. Some cameras are available for loan from the University.

COM 370 Sports Television and Field Production 3 Credits

Provides an in-depth study of advanced techniques in sports field production for television. Individual and group field production assignments will involve planning and executing single camera production in a sports setting. Previously developed video production skills will be refined, and students will gain increased competency and sophistication in all areas of sports field production including: production planning, camera operations, lighting, sound, and digital non-linear editing. Designed to prepare students to effectively function in the industry as a member of a professional field production team. In field situations, students create, produce, shoot, and edit sports content.

Prerequisite(s): COM 131.

COM 371 Sports Feature Content Creation 3 Credits

Focuses on developing reporting and writing skills for newspaper, magazine, public relations, and free-lance nonfiction sports writing. Students will study published examples of outstanding sports feature writing, and write their own sports feature articles with social media and multimedia components. Instead of traditional game coverage, this course focuses on covering sports personalities, issues and themes.

Prerequisite(s): COM 102, COM 270.

COM 361 Photography 3 Credits

Using digital SLR cameras, introduces students to professional methods of shooting varied subjects while applying a range of compositions and styles. Using Photoshop, students edit images for publication in print and on the Internet. Hands-on coursework is grounded in theory, history, aesthetics, and ethics. Some cameras are available for loan from the University.

COM 470 Live Sports Reporting Capstone 3 Credits

Focuses on student production of live, professional-level sports media content. Students will combine reporting, writing, social media and multimedia from live sporting events. Live-coverage will include Rider University teams and regional or professional sporting events.

COM 491 Internship in Communication 1-4 Credits

Places qualified students in a professional area related directly to their communication training. Students may intern in a communication position with a corporation, small business, media outlet, public relations agency, non-profit organization, political party, sports organization, or other similar organizations. A minimum of 50 hours of internship per credit is required. Written reports, a final project, and supervisor evaluations are used to analyze and evaluate the experience. For students majoring in the Department of Communication and Journalism only, primarily juniors and seniors. No more than two internships are permitted for each student; exceptions may be made. The deadline for registration is the first Friday of the semester.

Prerequisite(s): 3.2 GPA and permission of instructor.

MKT 280 Sports Marketing 3 Credits

The course focuses on the unique challenges of marketing sports at a variety of levels: youth, college, professional, and international. The challenges of attracting and retaining fans and participants as well as of building and maintaining strong brand identity are at the heart of the course content. By evaluating case studies and examining current issues in sports marketing, students will gain an understanding of what it means to be a professional marketer of a sports organization and/or event.

Prerequisite(s): MKT 200.

SPT 250 Introduction to the Business of Sports 3 Credits

This course is designed to introduce the student to the business of sports. Business principles, such as management, marketing, law, finance and economics will be applied to the business of sports. The course will also explore the various career opportunities in the world of sports.